In a written statement, Deputy Minister of Rural Development Makarios Lazaridis, a few minutes before the pre-daily debate in parliament at the level of political leaders on the rule of law begins, responds to all the accusations he has received from the opposition in recent days about his degree and the positions he has held in the public sector.

The entire statement of the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food:

“First of all, I feel the need to apologize because, in the need to defend myself, I expressed myself in the past few days, at times, in a way that is not in line with my ethics, nor with the ethics of the party to which I have belonged since I was a child.

But on the substance, at a time when there is a systematic attempt to smear persons with a track record and presence in public life, I must clarify the following:

Historically, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Secretaries General have, in accordance with the law, selected associates of their absolute confidence, who leave upon the departure of their political superior, without any other right.

Partners with a relationship of trust and efficiency. These are neither unprecedented nor mediocre.

According to the relevant provisions, I could be recruited to the post of special associate as a high school graduate, given that my degree was not recognized by the then IACS, after checking the documents requested and submitted to the relevant department.

If I was to be appointed as a special associate and not as a special adviser, this was done without any intervention or choice on my part.

The proof of the above is that I was placed in the category of DE in the Ministry of Administrative Reform, because obviously the services, with the current Prime Minister, Mr K. Mitsotakis, as Minister, did their job properly.

Why then and now Mr Mitsotakis is changing the State and correcting years of pathologies. After all, this is what we have been doing for 7 years now and we will continue to do it so that our children can live in a better country.

And I am proud to be a member of this Government and this Parliamentary Group.

But because I do not wish to see shadows cast, I am myself calling for the full, vigorous accounting of any sums unduly paid to me.

As far as my wife, Athanasia Kotsavitis is concerned, I have never hidden my political and family relationship with Mrs. Vasso Kollias. After my departure from the General Secretariat, she took the decision to hire her and to cooperate with the then ND-PASOK coalition government.

The truth is in front of everyone. With full transparency and without any shadow.

I have nothing to fear, but I will not allow anyone to ‘assassinate’ my character and smear my family.”

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